DSD BRINGS POLOKWANE COMMUNITIES TOGETHER TO CONFRONT GBVF AND BUILD SAFER SPACES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Community of Ga-Ramogwana, Polokwane, Limpopo

By  Nonhlakanipho Masola

• An urgent dialogue on the rising levels of violence against women, children, older persons, and people with disabilities took place in Polokwane, Limpopo, today.
• ⁠It created a platform for people to share their experiences and for the community and the Department of Social Development to find solutions to the devastation of gender-based violence.
• ⁠The conversation was led by the deputy director general for welfare services in the department, Siza Magangoe, who said the purpose of the gathering was to understand the nature of the problem, determine what needs to be done, and outline how it will be done.

Led by the deputy director general for welfare services in the department, Siza Magangoe, the dialogue on 9 December 2025 created a platform for the voices and lived experiences of ordinary community members – women who continue to carry the scars of violence, men who want to be part of the solution, young people seeking safety and hope, and families who long for communities free from fear.

As the country continues to face rising levels of violence against women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities, these conversations are not only necessary, they are urgent.

The dialogue, held under the national theme “Letsema: Men, women, boys and girls working together to end gender-based violence and femicide”, forms part of South Africa’s participation in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, a period dedicated to reflection, solidarity, and action.

Drawing on national research that highlights the complex drivers of gender-based violence and femicide, the dialogue encouraged honest conversations about harmful norms, economic pressures, trauma, and gaps in support services.

It provided a space for healing, learning, and imagining new ways of protecting those most at risk, especially women with disabilities and older women who often face heightened vulnerability.

Explaining the purpose of the engagement, Magangoe emphasised that financial constraints should never hinder efforts to address gender-based violence.

What matters most, she said, is understanding the nature of the problem, determining what needs to be done, and outlining how it will be done.

“Once a clear and comprehensive strategy is in place, the necessary resources will follow,” Magangoe added.

Without such a strategy, she cautioned, the country will be unable to grasp the depth of the problem or resolve it effectively.

The Department of Social Development had convened the engagement specifically to listen to communities and gain deeper insights into their experiences, the deputy director general said.

The day’s deliberations centred on three key areas: the importance of receiving and reflecting on the feedback from previous community dialogues; reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening protection, prevention, care and support services; and mapping out a collective way forward to improve local safety.

Magangoe underscored that older persons and persons with disabilities are significantly affected by gender-based violence, and she stressed the need to hear directly from them.

“The feedback will guide policymakers in determining how best to respond to the challenges and ensure that these vulnerable groups are adequately protected and supported.”

Discussing how the engagement sought to reinforce government and stakeholder commitment, taking concrete action against gender-based violence and strengthening support services, Magangoe noted: “As part of the social development sector, the department carries a dual responsibility to both prevent gender-based violence and respond to it.”

She highlighted the crucial role of shelters, explaining that they not only provide immediate support to survivors but also serve as an important prevention measure.

She announced that the national Department of Social Development, together with provinces, aimed to expand shelter services, with plans in place to ensure that by 2026, each district in the country had access to a shelter, addressing gaps where districts are still without such facilities.

Magangoe said the engagement would focus on charting a clear way forward.

She acknowledged that both national and provincial levels understood the priorities and challenges. “The real task lies in localising the National Strategic Plan on gender-based violence and femicide.”

While the NSP provides seven national priorities, its impact depends on how effectively it is implemented at the community level.

The deputy director general called for improved coordination, better use of combined resources, and stronger collaboration rather than competition among stakeholders.

Magangoe reiterated that the fight against gender-based violence requires unity and no group, whether older persons, children, persons with disabilities, or those in vulnerable circumstances, should be left behind. “Everyone must be part of the solution.”

By being on the ground with the residents of Polokwane, the Department of Social Development has reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with communities, civil society partners, traditional leaders, and local structures to tackle the scourge of gender-based violence.